Butts: “It was a good test for us”

Exeter City player-coach Danny Butterfield was pleased with the Grecians’ performance in a tough test against Premier League opposition AFC Bournemouth at St James Park.

Second half Cherries goals from Dan Gosling and Junior Stanislas overturned a half-time City lead, which had come about via the left boot of David Wheeler. But the 2-1 friendly defeat paled into insignificance compared to getting more preparation completed towards the first important fixture of the new season , which comes against Yeovil Town on Saturday 8th August.

As expected, the Premier League outfit saw more of the ball, but the Grecians held firm for much of the fixture and didn’t give cheap chances away. While Butterfield has plenty of competitive Premier League experience under his belt, the game allowed many of the young pros a first taste of taking on a top-flight side.

And while the visitors did have a majority of the possession and forced City into some goal-saving challenges, Exeter did carve out some good openings and had opportunities to extend their own goal tally.

“The lads did well today,” Butterfield said. “I think it’s another step towards building people towards the first game of the season, minutes-wise.

“It was a good test for us with them now being a Premier League team. So perhaps they offered us a little taste of a different way that we might need to play – getting bodies behind the ball and try to be solid and try to counter-attack.

“All in all it was a good workout and good experience for a lot of the young boys that have got that under their belt now.

“Bournemouth were always going to be a threat – we certainly had to be on our mettle at the back.

“But looking at the other end of the pitch, David Wheeler had a good chance and we had two or three set pieces which were always a threat as well.

“So we certainly had our chances as well – so all in all we’re pleased come the end of that game.”

Watch a full interview with Danny Butterfield below on Grecian PlayerHD.